Coin depository



June 13, 1967 E. F.O'BRIEN COIN DEPOSITORY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 11, 1964 INVENTOR E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN BYQ I w ATTORNEY June 13, 1967 E. F. OBRIEN COIN DEPOSITORY 3 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Dec. 11, 1964 mm TR. m M 4 8 MW m E:

G mQ Fm E ATTORNEY June 13, 1967 E. F. OBRIEN 3,325,090

COIN DEPOSITORY Original Filed Dec. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-$159,? S

FIGJO FIG. l3

INVENTOR. E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,325,090 COIN DEPOSITORY Edward Fitzgerald OBrien, Tupelo, Miss., assignor to M/ T Mfg. & Supply Co., Inc., Warren County, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Continuation of application Ser. No. 427,998, Dec. 11, 1964. This application Dec. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 524,362 4 Claims. (Cl. 2321) This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 427,998, filed Dec. 11, 1964, which is now abandoned in view of being superseded by this application.

This invention relates in general to coin-receiving means, and, more particularly, to a coin depository for use with coin-operated mechanisms.

Generally, the various devices and instruments designed for operation responsive to reception of a coin or coins of appropriate denomination, such as, merchandise vending machines and service units, such as telephones, amusement devices, etc., integrally incorporate the receptacle for such inserted coins. The inclusion of such a receptacle has, unfortunately, indirectly conduced to serious potential damage to, or loss of, these units, as the same being located in public places and very often at isolated points, are subject to riding with attendant operation-impairing damage, and even to purloining of the entire units. Damage of this character, or the complete loss of the devices financially outweighs substantially the total value of the deposited coins at any one time.

An extremely apt example of this little-known aspect of coin-operated devices is that with respect to public telephones, which, being compact and relatively lightweight, and embody a coin-receiving chamber, have proved an especial target for purloining. The cost of such telephone unit is quite dear so that the loss of same through theft for the mere coins therein constitutes an economic loss many times the total amount of the coins in a full chamber. Through close observation manufacturers of public telephones have discovered that dexterous thieves can remove the entire coin-operated telephone from its point of installation, such as, in a booth located on a street or roadway, within a period of but 45 seconds. After breaking into and emptying the coin chamber, such thieves discard the expensive telephone unit at some obscure point as the same is of no value to them.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a depository for coins inserted within coinoperated devices which is remote from, and independent of, the particular unit or devices to be operated thereby.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository for coin-operated devices which is located within a permanent, non-portable structure physically distinct from the related device so that any unlawful breaking into, and appropriation of coin from, such depository will not involve attendant damage to, or loss of, the particular unit operated by the coins collected, nor allow of loss of such structure.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository of the type stated which is especially adapted for use with pay telephones and which permits of the utilization of a relatively inexpensive telephone unit.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository which may be most economically produced; which is reliable and durable in usage; the use of which promotes substantial economies in operation of the associated devices and virtually eliminates costly hazards to such devices.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

3,325,090 Patented June 13, 1967 FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a public telephone incorporating a coin depository constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the public telephone shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a front view of the coin receptacle support in open or unlocked condition.

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a front view of the telephone supporting section of a conventional telephone booth incorporating another form of coin depository constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 1212 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 13 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 1313 of FIGURE 9.

For purposes of setting forth the present invention, the same is shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow as utilized in conjunction with a public, coin-operated or so-called pay telephone. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is readily usable with the myriad types of coin-operated devices, whether of the vending machine variety or of the service character, so that the description of the same with reference to a telephone unit is for purposes of illustration only.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings, A designates a public telephone comprising a support column or cylindrical upright 1, formed of suitable tube or pipe stock; said column 1 being closed at its upper end and having a bore 2 and being thus adapted to form a housing. At its lower end column 1 is provided with a base flange 3 apertured for reception of members 4 for fixed securement to, as by embedding within, a concrete base or foundation 5 disposed in the ground or other supporting surface. 7 I

On its upper portion said column 1 mounts, onits outer face, as by means of welded bracketsand bolts, a hood-like enclosure 6 as formed of sheet metal of desirable gauge, to provide a sound-reducing, partial shelter for the user. Said enclosure 6 and its immediately related structure do not form part of the present invention, but are shown and limitedly described for the sake 'of completeness. Enclosure 6 opens outwardly allowing ready access to, and facile manipulation of, a telephone 7 disposed upon a shelf or ledge 8 extending transversely of said enclosure 6. Supported on column 1, within enclosure 6, is the coin-energizing mechanism, shown generally at m, for telephone 7 and which carries the cus tomary cooperating elements well-known in'the art for activating the telephone for use. Said mechanism m includes a coin slot or slots 9 and at its lower end communicates with the bore 2 of column 1 through a conduit or chute 10 for passage therethrough of coins which have completed device-actuating travel through mechanism m.

Positioned transversely of bore 2 of column 1 at a point spaced downwardly of the discharge end of conduit 10 is a coin-directing or guiding member 11 being of general funnel-shape having a surface 11' tapering downwardly and inwardly toward a central opening 12 forming the upper end of a short depending tube 13 which opens at its lower end within a receptacle 14 positioned therebelow. It is apparent 'that opening 12 and tube 13 are of sufiicient diameter to permit unimpeded descent therethrough of the coins. Receptacle 14 is preferably of boxlike form, being constructed of any suitable material, as metal, plastic, or the like, and may be entirely open at its upper end or may be provided with a top closure having an opening for coin passage therethrough from directing member 11. The width and length of receptacle 14 are relatively less than the diameter of bore 2 so that receptacle 14 may be freely, manually moved vertically within said bore for removal or installation purposes, as will be described hereinbelow.

Coin receptacle 14 is adapted, when operatively disposed, to be supported upon the upper edges of a pair of cooperating hinged arms 15, 15' formed on like but confronting arcs, the chord length of which is substantially less than the diameter of bore 2 so when said arms 15, 15 are in open relationship receptacle 14 may be passed unobstructedly therebetween. Thus, said arms 15, 15 extend transversely of bore 2; said arms 15, 15' incorporate at their outer ends vertically aligned knuckles 16, 16 respectively, for receiving a hinge pin 17 the upper and lower ends of which are fixed within upper and lower hinge brackets 18, 18' respectively, welded or otherwise rigid on the inner face of column 1. At their opposite or inner ends said arms 15, 15 carry vertically aligned tubular sections 19, 19' respectively, which define the body of a lock denoted L, which is of a type generally known as a Chicago lock; there being a bolt 20 normally carried in the lower section 19 and adapted for locking movement into, and unlocking withdrawal from, upper section 19' upon appropriate operation of a tumbler 21 by means of a key 22. When arms 15, 15 are in locked relationship,as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, re-

ceptacle 14 will be firmly supported for coin collection,

and because of the dimensions of said receptacle 14 and the extentof arms 15, 15', said receptacle 14 could not be displaced without unlocking or rupturing or damaging of arms 15, 15.

To provide access to bore 2 from the exterior, there is presented downwardly of said arms 15, 15 a hinged closure 23 which forms a part of column 1, being in extent approximately /2 the circumference of said column and being swingably mounted on an outwardly invisible hin-ge 24-(see FIGURE 6); there being suitable externally manipulative locking means (not shown) for maintaining said closure 23 in closed condition.

In view of the foregoing it will be observed that in actual usage, with arms 15, 15" in locked relationship, a coin inserted in mechanism mfor energizing telephone 7 for usage, will gravitationally, descend through conduit 10, bore 2, and coin-directing member 11 for deposit in receptacle 14 for ultimate removal. For periodically efiecting collection of coins in receptacle 14, authorized personnel will unlock closure 23 by use of a particular extrinsic instrument and will thereon expose lock L for opening by operation of appropriate key 22 to lower bolt 20 and hence permit arms 15, 15 to be parted or spread apart for downward withdrawing action therebetween of receptacle 14 which will then be drawn outwardly of column 1 for empty-ing of receptacle 14. Thereon said receptacle 14 is then restored to its normal operative position within bore 2, and arms 15, 15 are manually swung together .for aligning sections 19, 19 and thereby allow locking of lock L. Closure 23 is, in turn, locked and the novel coin depository is thus disposed for coin collecting purposes.

As is evident from the above description, coins inserted for operation of the related device, such as telephone 7, are deposited at a point remote from such device thus substantially eliminating the attractiveness of coin-operated devices as objects for theft, since they would no longer retain the coins received. Accordingly, the use of the present invention serves to indirectly protect the pay units or devices against theft or damage from pilfering and a further natural result of such use is the fact that the coin-operated units or devices may be materially simplified in construction with marked economies. This is well exemplified in the telephone field, since units corresponding to telephone 7, shown in the drawings, may be produced at but a small fraction of the cost of current telephones which physically embody a coin receptacle.

As indicated above, the present invention has widespread applicability in the field of coin-operated devices and thus should not be considered as restricted to the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 8 as the same is readily adaptable for use with existing structures.

B generally designates a conventional enclosed telephone booth wherein 40, 41 refer to adjacent cornerforming walls thereof; there being the usual floor 42 and overhead structure 43. Extending obliquely between walls 40, 41 is a panel 44 being co-extensive therewith and suitably secured along its edges to said walls as by mounting brackets 45. Panel 44 on its outwardly directed face, in its upper portion, carries a telephone unit as indicated at 46; and associated therewith is a coin-energizing mechanism m for receiving coins and incorporating the usual elements for rendering telephone 46 operative.

Downwardly extending from mechanism m is a coin chute 47 disposed adjacent the inner face of said panel 44. At its lower end coin chute 47 communicates with an opening 48 formed in the upper wall of a coin receptacle 49 of box form, being fabricated of sheet metal or like material. Saidreceptacle 49 is retained in detachably mounted relationship upon the inner face of panel 44 through the provision of a laterally projecting flat locking car 50 fixed on one of its side walls in the lower portion thereof, as by welding, and being disposed at an angle to the horizontal for registering, superimposed disposition with relation to a planar parallel plate 51 extending from the inner face of panel 44; said plate 51 and locking ear 50 being alignedly apertured for the accommodation of the bolt 52 of a lock L' carried on plate 51; said lock L is in all respects similar to lock L above described in conjunction with telephone A. Plate 51 and locking ear 50 are inclined downwardly and rearwardly at a slight angle to the horizontal. On its opposite side, adjacent its upper forward end receptacle 49 carries a laterally projecting pin 53 disposed for reception within a downwardly opening guide slot 54 formed in a mounting plate 55 fixed on the inner face of panel 44 and extending rearwardly therefrom. Said coin receptacle 49 when in operative position with pin 53 in slot 54 and with ear 50 and plate 51 locked, will be also supported upon a horizontal flange 56 provided on the inner face of panel 44.

Thus coin receptacle 49 is adapted for removal for coin collection purposes. Removal may be effected by unlocking of lock L through manipulation of the appropriate key, which will thus cause a downward retraction of the bolt 52 from locking ear 50, so that slight upward tilting of the lower rearward end of receptacle 49 will effect displacement from supporting flange 56; there being adequate clearance between locking car 50 and plate 51 to allow such slight swinging. Receptacle 49 is then downwardly withdrawn, disengaging pin 53 from slot 54.

Downwardly of support flange 56, panel 44 is provided with a relatively enlarged opening 57 adapted for closure by a plate 58 having a lock 59 for securement in position. Thus, to obtain access to receptacle 49, one must unlock lock 59, remove closure plate 58, and then effect the above described procedure for effecting removal of coin receptacle 49 from its mounting; said receptacle being drawn outwardly through opening 57 for emptying thereof. The re-installation procedure should be quite apparent from the foregoing, as it is the reverse thereof.

This form of the present invention is readily adapted for use in conventional telephone booths wherein the space rearwardly of the oblique panel 44, which is conventionally mounted, may be used for a coin depository remote from the related telephone. Anyone making an unauthorized effort to remove receptacle 49 would be required, firstly, to break open closure 57, secondly, to effect an unlocking of lock L, and thirdly, to undertake the precise and deft manipulation necessary for removing receptacle 49 from its mounting. Such coin depository means being located for rendering difiicult any thievish attempts serves also by its independent mounting to thereby indirectly protect the associated telephone unit against theft and to allow of the manufacture of same in a relatively cheaper form than is currently used.

The foregoing thus clearly demonstrates the unique character of the present invention, which provides a simple but yet highly efiicient means for protecting coinoperating devices against pilfering and damage by thieves, and thus conduces to the replacement of expensive devices by those more economically produced. The coins received by the device are deposited at a point remote from the device and are hence independent thereof so that any attempts to pilfer the coins would not entail damage to the units. Furthermore, the depositories for the coins are so uniquely located as to render access to the same most difficult, but in any event quite time-consuming, so that one making an unauthorized efiort at removal of the coin receptacle might well be detected as a result of the extended effort required.

It is obvious that the present invention may be utilized with existing coin-operating devices without requiring any costly modification of the same.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts of the coin depository may be made and substituted for those herein shown and disclosed without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use in combination with a coin-operating apparatus having a vertically directed discharge passage for coins received, a coin depository comprising a housing communicating with said discharge passage, a coin receptacle member disposed in said housing downwardly of said discharge passage, and coin-receptacle support means swingably mounted in said housing below said coin receptacle member for movement within a horizontal plane between operative or coin-receptacle supporting position and inoperative position, said housing being provided with an access opening beneath said coinreceptacle support means.

2. For use in combination with a coin-operating apparatus having a vertically directed discharge passage for coins received, a coin depository as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said coin receptacle support means comprising a pair of cooperating arms hingedly mounted in said housing below said coin receptacle member for swinging through a horizontal plane toward each other for providing a support for said coin receptacle and away from each other to permit downward withdrawal of said coin receptacle therebetween and outward withdrawal of said coin receptacle through said access opening.

3. For use in combination with a coin-operating apparatus having a vertically directed discharge passage for coins received, a coin depository as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by lock means for interengaging said cooperating arms when in operative position for preventing unauthorized withdrawal of said coin receptacle.

4. For use in combination with a coin-operating apparatus having a vertically directed discharge passage for coins received, a coin depository as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by means for locking said coinreceptacle support means in operative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 321,618 7/1885 Ludwick 248-310 1,182,409 5/1916 Ohmer 232-15 1,205,655 11/1916 Nelson 23241.5 1,394,941 10/192'1 Ruebsamen et al. 232-15 1,516,126 11/1924 Selby 232-42 2,451,088 10/1948 Hoyt 23243 .2 2,502,999 4/ 1950 Shaun 2321.4 2,570,920 10/1951 Clough et a1. 23216 2,964,237 12/ 1960 Henderson 232-16 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Examiner. 

1. FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A COIN-OPERATING APPARATUS HAVING A VERTICALLY DIRECTED DISCHARGE PASSAGE FOR COINS RECEIVED, A COIN DEPOSITORY COMPRISING A HOUSING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGE, A COIN RECEPTACLE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING DOWNWARDLY OF SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGE, AND COIN-RECEPTACLE SUPPORT MEANS SWINGABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING BELOW SAID COIN RECEPTACLE MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT WITHIN A HORIZONTAL PLANE BETWEEN OPERATIVE OR COIN-RECEPTACLE SUPPORTING POSITION AND INOPERATIVE POSITION, SAID HOUSING BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ACCESS OPENING BENEATH SAID COINRECEPTACLE SUPPORT MEANS. 